Truth be told, Pancratz wasn’t the only one under the weather. As the calendar hits October, the season is officially a grind. Whether it was the flu, a tough season or both, everyone in Vail blue or Soroco maroon was pounding away Thursday.

“It has been a tough season,” said Gore Rangers senior Stephanie Kohlhofer, who also has the bug. “But we just worked hard, and it paid off in the end, even though it took a while.”

While it was a tough loss for Soroco, which is seeking its elusive first win, the Rams went to five games for the first time since Sept. 3 (Hayden).

VMS pulled out the win with excellent contributions from sophomore Morgan Harty and fresh-person Holly Parker.

“I think they’re doing great,” Kohlhofer said. “I’m really proud of them. They played (in the) development and JV (games), so they must have been really tired. They pushed through.”

And the seniors took over from there. Kohlhofer was a presence all night, as was Hannah McKeever. VMS senior setter Taylor Washing, as the night progressed, turned to them more and more, and they delivered.

VMS (4-5 overall and 3-2 in the 2A Slope) is in the middle of a marathon stretch. The Gore Rangers were at Paonia (loss) on Tuesday night. After Thursday’s Soroco game, they host Rangely tonight and then head to West Grand on Saturday.